Stunning Britain In Bloom win for Spofforth

Alex Johnston

The efforts of a team of Spofforth volunteers were rewarded in spectacular fashion this week as the village won gold and was crowned overall winner of the Britain in Bloom village category.

More than 1,000 Bloom groups from across the country were vying for the awards, and of these just 70 finalists were chosen to represent their region/nation in the UK Finals, with Spofforth representing Yorkshire.
The prize was handed out at the oficial Britain in Bloom with the RHS UK Finals Awards ceremony hosted by TV Presenter and Gardening Expert James Alexander-Sinclair.
David Saunders, Chairman of Spofforth in Bloom said: “It has been an honour to represent Yorkshire once again in the prestigious Britain in Bloom with the RHS competition, and having won Best in Category in 2012, it was beyond our wildest dreams to have been awarded the accolade for a second time!”
On a successful night for North Yorkshire, Scholes scooped Silver-Gilt in the Large Village category, while Knaresborough scooped Gold in the Large Town category.
The Britain in Bloom with the RHS judging panel, headed by Roger Burnett, met with representatives of each finalist throughout the summer to assess each of the 70 Bloom campaigns against three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.
Chairman of the UK Judging Panel Roger Burnett said: “This has been a vintage year for Britain in Bloom with communities across the country coming together to create wonderful floral displays that benefit not just the individuals involved, but their communities and the wider environment. Thanks to the work of Britain in Bloom, our pollinators are better supported, once neglected areas of our towns, villages and cities are turning from grey to green, and communities are coming together with a shared purpose.
“The standard of entries this year has been incredibly high. It is an honour to recognise and celebrate the work these amazing people do to build stronger, healthier and happier communities through gardening.”